I am a rising senior trying to narrow down my list of schools I want to apply to. I am fairly certain I want a career in the Health field. But as I search for schools I am concerned that I will not have the money to continue on to Med School. Also, many of the schools I am hoping to get into are pretty selective and rigorous (they meet full need which is very important). I fear that I may not make the “PreMed cuts” at these schools even if I get in.
So here is my question:
If I get accepted to a smaller, fairly selective LAC or University but decide I don’t want to pursue premed will a bachelor’s degree in Health or some other Science prepare me enough for any careers in the health industry or will I have to continue on for additional schooling?
Or would I have better luck choosing a larger, much less competitive school that has a wider variety of majors and minors more specific to the health related careers?
I feel like the smaller more selective schools might be a better fit for me and I think that the professors and advisers would be more helpful in guiding me to a good career, however if the smaller school is limited in its offerings than it won’t matter…right?
Anyone have any additional guidance for me…I seems I am talking in circles
That depends on what career you end up focusing on. A BS in Biology isn't particularly useful on it's own. I know a few people who've gotten jobs as research technicians, consultants, teachers, physical therapists etc but most choose to go into grad school, med school, dental school, pharmacy school, nursing school, PA school, etc. I guess the general message is that if you want to work in the healthcare industry you would be well served by getting some kind of graduate degree.
Larger school vs smaller school is very subjective and depends on who you are as a person. Go where you feel most comfortable.
That really depends on what you choose to do after undergrad. If your small school has no opportunities for research, volunteering, shadowing, etc and you eventually decide to go to med school you're going to have a hard time competing with the kids who've conducted clinical research, volunteered and shadowed at hospitals, etc. In the end medical schools want to accept the kids the "know" have the best chance of becoming physicians. The best way to show you're one of those kids is to do well in school and show dedication to research, the community, and healthcare.
So yes, the opportunities at your school will matter. Though to be honest unless you go to a super small college in the middle of the mountains there will be plenty of things for you to pursue.
If you feel like you may not be the premed type but want to go into health you may want to consider a career in:
Nursing, physicians assistant, pharmacy, optometry, hospital administration, research, kinestisiology / physical therapy, psychology, computational biology / medicine, radiology technician, public health, bioengineering…
None of the above careers are easy, but they are all ways to work in health without being an MD/DO.
Thanks for the reply. I am sure I want to end up in a career similar to those you listed below. I haven’t really ruled our MD except for the cost of the additional schooling. We will struggle to cover undergrad with some loans…I need to have a career path that doesn’t involve additional costs just in case the money isn’t there in 4 yrs.
I am pretty sure I would feel more comfortable, and get more involved in a smaller school. But when I compare their offerings to one’s that my State flagship offers …
From Mizzou’s website: “The school offers undergraduate degrees with majors in Athletic Training, Communication Science and Disorders, Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Sciences with emphasis in Radiography or Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Clinical Laboratory Sciences with an emphasis in Medical Technology.”
…the small school’s offering seems pretty weak.
While I don’t doubt that the education I receive at the smaller school is not just as good if not better than the large flagship, if not employable when I graduate (without further schooling) than what good does that do?
Your questions are quite good ones, but they do not pertain specifically to a small school/large school dichotomy. Harvard, for example – a large school – does not offer undergraduate concentrations in any of the specialties you identified in post 2, nor do they offer majors in the somewhat broader fields of business, education and nursing.
Don’t focus on “covering costs” for grad or med school in a health related field. Many take on loans for that. It’s pretty common. However, if it really worries you , then attend an undergrad that will give you either great FA or great merit…and reserved funds for grad/med/professional school.
What are your stats?
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will a bachelor's degree in Health or some other Science prepare me enough for any careers in the health industry or will I have to continue on for additional schooling?
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Unless you get a BSN, you probably will need to go to some sort of grad or professional school for a career in a health related field…public health, PA, MD, whatever.
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am pretty sure I would feel more comfortable, and get more involved in a smaller school. But when I compare their offerings to one's that my State flagship offers ...
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Will you be coming into college with AP credits? The reason I ask, is if you will, then you may find yourself quickly into whatever major you choose. If so, then you will soon be in your own little major world, meaning that in a large school, you’ll quickly feel like you’re in a smaller school. My kids uses their AP credits and were quickly immersed into their majors, which meant most of their classes were now contained in about 3 buildings in one area of campus.
Will you qualify for an honors program or college? If so, that can also shrink the feeling of a large school.
What is your financial situation? How much will your parents pay each year? Do you qualify for aid or merit from Mizzou or other schools?
It appears that the Science section is bringing down your ACT. The SAT doesnt’ have a science section, so try that. But retest in both ACT and SAT, but study for the SAT.
